Hammer mfg



G. B. REISBACH.

INTERLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED MAYI3,19II.

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1- e. B. F iEISBACH INTERLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 1911.

1,193,718. Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- G. B. REISBACH.

INTERLOCK.

V 6PPL1CATION FILED MAY I3. 191!- l 1,198,718, Patented Aug. 8,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- EMM M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAVE B. REISBACH, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE CUTLER- HAMMER MFG. 00., 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

INTEBLOCK.

Application filed May 13, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUsTAvn B. RnIsBAoH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of \Visconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Interlocks, of which the followingis a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in interlocks.

My invention is particularly applicable to use in connection with electric switches where it is desired to insure against the operation of one or more switches upon the operation of another. My invention however is by no means limited to this particular application, but may be used with va-' rious kinds of devices in various different relations to produce numerous different resu ts.

The various objects and advantages of my invention will be hereinafter clearly and fully set forth.

, For the purpose of clearly and fully disclosing the nature and characteristic features of my invention, I shall describe the embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which I have shown one form thereof in connection with'a plurality of automatic electric switches; It

should be understood, however, that my invention is susceptible of embodiment in other forms falling within the scope of the v appended claims.

y In the drawings: Figure 1 shows one of the switches. Fig. 2 is a view showing a. plurality of switches of the'type shown in Fig. 1 equipped with interlocking mechanism. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 Fig. 2. e

For the purpose of illustration I have employed a conventional form of switch. The

details of construction of this switch being immaterial to my invention, I shall merely briefly describe the switch. The switch is of the oil immersed type, the parts thereof being mounted upon a horizontal support 1 from which depends an oil tank 2. Ar-

Specifieation of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

Serial No. 626,947.

ranged within the tank 2 are vertically disposed switches 3 and 4 pivotally mounted on members 5 and 6 respectively supported by the member 1. In the drawing only two switches are illustrated, but in practice any preferred number of switches may be provided. Between the switches 3 and 1 is a ertically disposed rod 7 carrying a cross member 8 operatively connected to the switches 3 and 4 in such a manner that when the same is raised by reciprocation of the rod 7, said switches will be forced into closed position. The rod 7 projects upwardly through the member 1, and is operatively connected as by a pin 9 to the plunger 10 of a solenoid 11. The solenoid 11 is mounted in a magnet frame 12, said frame being provided with standards 13 resting upon and secured to the member 1. This brief description of the switch will suffice for the purposes of this application.

' In Fig. 2 I have shown three switches, A, .B and C of the type shown in Fig. 1, each switch being shown in top plan with its operating solenoid removed. In addition I have shown in this figure certain interlocking mechanism which I shall now describe. The interlocking mechanism in cludes two shafts 15 and 16, the former extending from switch A to switch B, and the latter extending from switch B to switch C. The shaft 15 is oscillatably mounted at one end in a suitable bearing device 17 on the switch A, and at its other end in a suitable bearing device 18 on switch B. The shaft 16 is oscillatably mounted in similar bearing devices 19 and 20 on the switches B and C respectively. The switch shown in Fig. 1 corresponds to switch B and in said figure both shafts 15 and 16 appear. the former in end elevation and the latter in cross section. As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, more clearly in Fig. 4, the shafts 15 and 16 have fixed thereto upwardly projecting arms 21 and 22 respectively connected by a pivoted link 23. The purpose of this connection is to insure rotation of the shafts 15 and 16. in unison and in the same direction. For a purpose hereinafter set forth it is desired to normally maintain the shafts 15 and 16 in such a relation that the arms 21 and 22 will stand Vertically as illustrated in Fig. 1. To attain this result I provide the additional connection best illus trated in Figs. 2- and 3. I provide on the shaft 15 a sleeve 24 secured thereto by a pin 25, Fig. 3. This sleeve is provided at opposite ends with annular flanges 26 and I 27, between which and surrounding said sleeve is a helical spring 28 having its extremities 29 and 30 extended to embrace the shaft 16 on opposite sides thereof. In addition I provide on the. annular flange 27 a lug 31 carrying a pin 32 projecting be- Q is in the positions that they assume when the tween the extremities 29 and of the spring 28. This connection it will be observed is such that regardless of the direction in which the shafts are rotated they will always be biased to rotate in the opposite direction, thereby insuring counter rotation thereof as soon as they are released. Accordingly by proper angular adjustment of the sleeve 26 relative to the arms 21 and 22 on the shaft, it is possible to insure the return of the shafts to such a position as to return the arms to vertical position.

Fixed upon the shaft 15 at opposite ends thereof are angular arms 33 and 34 carryingat their extremities rollers 36 and respectively. Correspondingly shaped arms 37 and 38 are fixed to the shaft 16 at opposite ends thereof, and these arms are provided with rollers 39 and 40 respectively. The arms 33 and 37 are arranged on opposite sides of the plunger of the operating solenoid of switch B, and said plunger is provided with a cross member 41 carrying rollers 42 and 43 to cooperate with the rollers on said arms in a manner hereinafter set forth. This is clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. As illustrated in Fig. 5 the arm 34 is arranged in proximity to the plunger of the operating solenoid of switch A and said plunger is provided with a lateral projection 45 carrying a roller 46 to cooperate with the roller 35 on said arm. As illustrated in Fig. 6 the arm 38 is located in proximity to the plunger of the operating solenoid of switch C and said plunger is provided with a laterally extending lug 47 carrying a roller 48 to cooperate with the roller on said arm.

Figs 4, 5 and 6 show all of the arms above mentioned in normal or neutral position that shafts are relieved of the tension of the spring 28. From these views it will be observed that the arms are mounted in different angular positions on the shafts. The arms 33 and 37 are so mounted that the rollers carried thereby are out of the path of the rollers carried by the plunger of the operating solenoid of switch B, while arms 34 and 38 are so disposed that their rollers extend into the vertical paths of the rollers on the plungers of their respective switches. It will thus be observed that the solenoid of switch B is normally free to respond to close terlocking mechanism, but that the solenoids of switches A and C can only respond to close their respective switches by first forcing their corresponding arms of the interlocking mechanism out of the path of the rollers carried thereby.

I shall now describe the operation and functions of the parts in connection with Figs. 4, 5 and 6. All parts of the interlocking mechanism operating simultaneously, the three views may be considered in the light of a single figure. Considering the three views as a single figure, it will be observed that the relation of the switches is different from that shown in Fig. 2, but this change in relation of the switches is immaterial and has been made for the purpose of facilitating following of the operation. Instead of having the switches A, B and C arranged in the order named as in Fig. 2, I have them arranged in order of B, A and (J. Bearing in mind that the arms 33 and 34 of the switches B and A are mounted on the same shaft, namely shaft 15, and that the arms 37 and 38 of the switches B and C are mounted upon the same shaft, namely shaft 16, the operation will be readily understood. With the interlocking mechanism in normal or neutral position, the switch B as before stated is free to respond, in fact Fig. 4 shows the solenoid of this switch as having responded and having raised the cross member 41 from the dotted line position to the full line position. This operation as is apparent from the drawing 1n no wise affects or influences the interlocking mechanism, but as will be apparent from the following explanation movement of the cross member 41 to the position illustrated in full line prevents closure of either of the other two switches. To exemplify this let it be assumed that the operating solenoid of switch A is now energized. This would result in raising theplunger of said solenoid which movement through the agency of the rollers 46 and.35 would force the arm 34 to the left, or in-a counter clockwise direction. This would impart a counter clockwise movement to the shaft 15 and accordingly to interlocking arm 33 and through connections 21, 22 and 23 to shaft 16. The movement of arm 33 would of course have no effect, but by the counter clock wise movement of the shaft 16 the arm 37 carried thereby is moved so as to throw its roller 39 into engagement with the roller 43 as shown in dotted lines. This blocks any further rotation of the two shafts 15 and 16 and accordingly any further reciprocation of the plunger of the operating solenoid of switch A. As is apparent from Fig. 4, there is little clearance between the rollers 39 and 43 and in consequence only a slight degree of rotation of the shafts and reciprocation of the plunger of the o erating solenoid of switch A would be permitted. The degree of movement permitted would be far too small to allow switch A to close, and accordingly its further operation would be blocked until switch B had been opened to move the roller 43 out of the path of the roller 39.

Assuming that closure of switch C be attempted, the result would be practically the same as that just described except that peration would be blocked by the roller 42 carried by the plunger of the operating solenoid of switch B. This would be caused in the following manner Energization of switch C would cause the roller 48 thereof to engage the roller 40 of the arm 38 moving the same to the right or in a clock wise direction. Hence through the medium of the arms 21 and 22 and the connecting link 23 a clock wise rotation would be imparted to the shaft 15 carrying the arm 33, thereby moving said arm in a dlrection to cause its roller to abut against the roller 42 with the result aforesaid. Assuming now that all switches are denergized in which position the rollers carried by the plunger of the operating solenoid of sw tch B would be in the dotted line position. This renders any one of said switches free to be closed at will. Assuming energization and closure of switch A, it will be seen that the arm 34 will be moved to the left as previously set forth moving both shafts 15 and 16 in acounter clock wise direction. This movement of the shafts as has already been seen moves the arm 37 to the left which with the roller 43 of switch B in the dotted line position would cause the roller 39 as shown in the dotted lines to move into the path thereof and prevent its being raised.

This engagement between the rollers 39 and 43 would block the operation of switch B. Likewise upon counter rotation of the shafts, the interlocking arm 38 of switch C would be moved to the left until its roller 40 assumed the position shown in dotted lines, in which position it is obviously in the path of the roller 48 carried by the plunger of the perating solenoid of switch C, andwould therefore block the operation of said switch. Assume now that switch C is energized and closed, the other switches being openf'the 'shafts 15 and 16 will be moved in a clock wise "direction. This of course would result in' moving the arm 34 of switch A clock wise farther into the path of the roller 46, and consequently block operation of said switch. Likewise it would move the interlocking arm 33 of switch B clock wise to bring the roller 35 thereof into the path of the roller 42, and accordingly block operation of said switch. It will thus be seen that the very sim le interlocking means provided insures e ective locking of all remaining switches in open position upon closure of any one of said switches, and further when in normal position permits closure of any one of switches as desired.

While I have shown the interlock as ap-- plied to three switches, it is obvious that it is applicable to morethan three switches, or to only two switches. It will further be obvious that the interlock shown would be applicable to many other devices other than switches.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:-

1. In combination, a plurality of separately movable members, a locking device for each of said members including a part fixed to the latter and a cooperating movable part and interconnected oscillatable shafts operatively connecting said movable parts of said locking devices, each of said movable parts having locking and releasing positions corresponding to certain angular positions of said shafts and certain of said parts being normally positioned to lock their respective members and another to release its respective member, said members in turn acting to move certain and restrain other of said movable parts to interlock said members against simultaneous operation.

2. In combination, a plurality of separately movable members, a locking device for each of said members including a part fixed to the latterand a cooperating movable part, and oscillatable means operatively connecting said movable parts of said devices, said movable partshaving locking and releasing positions correspbnding to certain angular ositlons of said oscillatable means and being arranged to normally occupy different relative positions, said devices each functionlng upon movement of its respective member to restrain said oscillatable means in a predetermined angular/..p Qsition corres onding to the locking position of the mova le part of the other ofsaid devices.

3. In combination, two separately movable members, a locking device for each including a part fixed thereto and a cooperating movable part and interconnecting means for said movable parts of said devices including an oscillatab e shaft, said movable parts of said locking devices having locking and releasing positions correspondmg to predetermined angular positions of said shaft and normally the ' occupying positions intermediate their locking and releasing positions for actuation of devices being normally positioned to lock their respective members while the movable part of another of said devices is normally positioned to release its respective member and each of said devices upon movement of its respective member functioning through said means and the movable parts of the other devices to lock all other of said mem-" bers.

5. In combination, a plurality of separately movable members, a locking device for each of said members including a part fixed to the latter and a cooperating movable part and oscillatable means operatively connecting said movable parts ofsaid *devices, the movable part of one of said devices being positioned to release its respective member when the movable part of other of said devices are positioned to lock their respective members, said former device upon movement of its respective member functioning through said means to restrain said latter devices in locking position and each of said latter devices upon movement of its respective memberfunctioning through said means to effect locking action of all other of said devices.

6. In combination, a plurality of separately movable elements, a locking device for each of said elements including a part fixed thereto and a cooperating pivoted locking arm, and oscillatable means operatively connccting said arm, said arms acting in certain angular positions thereof to lock and release their respective members and certain of the same being arranged to occupy locking position when others occupy releasing positlons, each of said elements when moved acting upon its respective locking arm and through said oscillatable means upon other of said arms to lock the respective elements of said latter arms.

7. In combination, a plurality of separately movable elements, a locking device for .each of said elements including a part fixed thereto and a cooperating pivoted locking arm and interconnected oscillatable shafts operatively connecting said arms, each of said arms having locking and releasing positions corresponding to )redetermined angular positions of said sha ts and one of said arms being arranged to occupy locking position While the others occupy releasing positions, each of said elements upon movement thereof acting upon its respective locking arm to restrain said shafts in the angular positions thereof corresponding to the lockmg positions of the other of said arms.

8. In combination, a plurality of separately movable elements, a locking device for each of said elements including a part fixed thereto and a cooperating pivoted locking arm and interconnected oscillatable shafts operatively connecting said arms, said arms having locking and releasing positions corresponding to predetermined angular positions of said shafts and being arranged to normally occupy positions intermediate their aforesaid positions and each of said elements upon movement functioning through its respective arm and said shafts with the other of said arms to lock the other of said elements.

-In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

GUSTAVE B. REISBACH. Witnesses:

FRANK H. HUBBARD, H. L. RooKNELL. 

